Hey all,
Recently, I have developed a love for Lady Grey and being an Orthodox Christian, I have encountered several of Russians at my Church who have a fondness for Kousmichoff. I really would like to try Russian tea blends. Just out of curiosity, has anyone had good luck with Kousmichoff blends? My birthday is coming up, and I have thought about asking my girlfriend to pick me up a tin of Prince Vladimir for the ocassion. Any thoughts?
Cheers,
Mike
French tea blends, you mean?
Seriously though, I'm fond of Kousmichoff. Especially their zoubrowka. I've also enjoyed 'Bouquet of Flowers' on occassion; it's very pleasant when I want a citrus-scented black tea that is not Earl Grey. I haven't had 'Prince Vladimir', but I'd give it a try.
Happy birthday, BTW! :-) N.
Try it. Their house blend is kind of smoky. Remember these teas are intended to be made very strong with long extended steeping, then drunk with sweetening added.
You can drink them straight with limited steeping and they are interesting that way, but they aren't really blended for that.
--scott
We have a large Russian community. I got a brand called Royal Tea Czar Nicholas. I haven't tried it but I'd bet their Czarina Alexandra which says natural flavors is bergamot. The Russian brands like everybody else is packed in country of export.
Jim
Mike Fult> Hey all,
Many a "russian tea" - meaning a tea with cyrillic label and Russian Royal insignia are actually Finnish Forsman teas, very popular in Russia.
Sasha.
Here is a website I just found. I haven't seen the Forsman brand in the stores. Looks like a really good selection. I'd also recommend getting a large Lomonosov Cobalt teapot on Ebay. It is the most elegant teapot I have. I only use it for display.
Jim
Alex Chaihorsky wrote:
One tiny note - the "Karelian Birch tea Box" is not made of famous Russian "Karelian Birch" but most probably is from birch that was harvested in Karelia. "Karelian Birch" is what (among other things) a inexpensive (100 years ago!) faberge cigarette holders were made of.
More general info:
Sasha.
I'll definitely give it a try. I'd also like to take a gander at Troika and Anastasia. Seems rather delicious too. I want to try and broaden my spectrum a bit as far as tea culture is concerned. In other words, start looking north of the Songhua. :)
Mike, if you read Russian I can recommend several Russian tea forums that are excellent.
Sasha.
Sasha. Unfortunately my Greek is better than my Russian. Thanks though. :)
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